THE KID'S GLOVES COME OFF: GRIFFEY DEFENDS NIKE/CHIDES ESPN

KEN GRIFFEY JR. writes a first-person cover story with
Claire Smith in ESPN MAGAZINE where he talks of his
relationship with Nike and today's media. Griffey: "Nike
doesn't force you to do anything you're not comfortable
with. Yes, I've gotten questions the last couple years
about Nike: 'How come the factory workers are only making
this much?' I really got grilled by one reporter. I said,
If you give me a couple of days to find out about it, I'll
answer all your questions. And I got a printout a few days
later, and showed him that factory workers are comparable to
firemen, teachers, policemen and more in those societies.
That's what people don't get to see. The just see numbers -
- they're getting this, and we're getting this -- instead of
dealing with what their societies make and what our society
makes." On the media: "There are a lot of things the media
don't always understand. I agree with ESPN on a lot of
things, but certain things? People have to be accountable
for what they say and do. Athletes, media, everybody. So
if you say something negative about somebody, at least give
them an opportunity to answer. I don't want to get
wisecracks. I want sports. That's it. But with ESPN, it's
like a competition in the studio to see who can say the
funniest line. When somebody makes an error, guys in our
position don't think it's funny. Then you have the field
guys at the ballpark wondering why this player or that
player won't talk. Send the guy who said the funny line to
get the interview" (ESPN MAGAZINE, 8/24 issue).